VE Steering sensitivity

[triplej]

First post from a newbie...
Purchased a 2011 SSV redline sedan a few weeks back and the steering sensitivity / lightness is driving me mad. I guess I’ll get used to it but it feels very distant / over servo’d . My girlfriends BMW 120 is much heavier in the steering!
Anyone else think this? Anyone aware of mods? (Besides turning the ignition off!)

[NIXON]

Iv driven my mates series 2 and didnt notice it, felt normal to me. You didnt pick this up on the test drive?

[peter b]

First post from a newbie...
Purchased a 2011 SSV redline sedan a few weeks back and the steering sensitivity / lightness is driving me mad. I guess I’ll get used to it but it feels very distant / over servo’d . My girlfriends BMW 120 is much heavier in the steering!
Anyone else think this? Anyone aware of mods? (Besides turning the ignition off!)

Check your tyre pressures

[triplej]

thanks Nixon,

I did but just thought it was me adjusting to a new car. A few weeks in, im thinking its the car and not me. Not a fault but design.

[Wonky]

Is it the steering sensitivity or just the more accurate steering of the VE? The first night I had my SSV sedan (March 2007) I hit a kerb on a slight bend at about 75kmh and guttered my 2 new aftermarket rims on the passenger side. :doh: How? I'd upgraded from a VZ SS which only had 12,000km on it so was still perfect in the steering. Near home I took this slight bend the same way as I previously had in the VZ (and VY before that) and got caught out by the sharper steering.......... :bawl: :doh:

[Plenty]

Is it the steering sensitivity or just the more accurate steering of the VE? The first night I had my SSV sedan (March 2007) I hit a kerb on a slight bend at about 75kmh and guttered my 2 new aftermarket rims on the passenger side. :doh: How? I'd upgraded from a VZ SS which only had 12,000km on it so was still perfect in the steering. Near home I took this slight bend the same way as I previously had in the VZ (and VY before that) and got caught out by the sharper steering.......... :bawl: :doh:

lol had the same problem when i got my VE aswell, steering is so direct and light but weights up beautifully at low speeds.

[triplej]

Is it the steering sensitivity or just the more accurate steering of the VE? The first night I had my SSV sedan (March 2007) I hit a kerb on a slight bend at about 75kmh and guttered my 2 new aftermarket rims on the passenger side. :doh: How? I'd upgraded from a VZ SS which only had 12,000km on it so was still perfect in the steering. Near home I took this slight bend the same way as I previously had in the VZ (and VY before that) and got caught out by the sharper steering.......... :bawl: :doh:

Bummer! but dont think that would be the issue here tho..I traded in my beloved 911 turbo for the SSV ;) (are ex porsche owners allowd here? :) )

[Wonky]

are ex porsche owners allowd here? :)

:yup: :wave:

[triplej]

Check your tyre pressures

36 PSI on 20" rims...is that about right?

[Plenty]

Bummer! but dont think that would be the issue here tho..I traded in my beloved 911 turbo for the SSV ;) (are ex porsche owners allowd here? :) )

Porsche steering in another league again. Take another for a drive and see if it suffers the same problem.

[triplej]

:yup: :wave:

Cheers Bro! (im also a kiwi LOL)

[Evman]

The wheel alignment can have a decent effect on steering response too, so might be worth getting it checked.

[Wonky]

36 PSI on 20" rims...is that about right?

I run 40 - 42 psi on my 20" rims but suspect increasing pressure will make it feel even lighter. :(

[sjhugh]

The steering in my 1 Series BMW is very heavy compared to the VE, whether you think that is a good or bad thing is a matter of preference.

To me the VE is light, nice and direct, it re-centres itself with ease which are two things I love but personally I’d take the feel of the BMW over it any day. It feels very sporty and the perfect weight.

To put it into perspective, the steering in my AMG is so light it is shithouse at low speeds compared to the VE. I’d take the VE over it any day. The AMG in comparison lacks very little feedback and is one of the few things I’d change about the car, oh that and the option of a manual transmission.

.

[triplej]

Porsche steering in another league again. Take another for a drive and see if it suffers the same problem.

Yes it is but interesting enough its also much much heavier. You cant turn a P car with one finger like I can the SSV. A little less power assistance for me please!

[redvxr8clubby]

I bought a VE SV6 a few months ago, I think the same, the steering does seem pretty sensitive compared to the LS1 VX II Calais I traded. I've also noticed that a rut that crosses the road at an angle to the road seems to unsettle the car more so than the VX. I still have my series one VX Clubby, there is something a bit unsettling sometimes with the VE. All these cars have 18" wheels, so I don't think it's down to tyres, except the profile of the VE is a litle higher.

[Xjas]

I found my VE a bit light also after getting out of a VY, the steering is more direct with better feedback but did seem a bit twitchy, now I am more used to it, its no longer an issue.

[triplej]

The steering in my 1 Series BMW is very heavy compared to the VE, whether you think that is a good or bad thing is a matter of preference.

To me the VE is light, nice and direct, it re-centres itself with ease which are two things I love but personally I’d take the feel of the BMW over it any day. It feels very sporty and the perfect weight.

To put it into perspective, the steering in my AMG is so light it is shithouse at low speeds compared to the VE. I’d take the VE over it any day. The AMG in comparison lacks very little feedback and is one of the few things I’d change about the car, oh that and the option of a manual transmission.

.

interesting feedback SJ, so if you had the option to alter the VE steering to be less assisted would you?

[sjhugh]

I understand the VE is a vehicle for many driving tastes and the lightness helps with parking and low speed manoeuvrability but I’d definitely prefer the steering to be a little heavier.

In saying that, wide tyres and too heavy a steering does equal sore shoulders in a daily driver.

I’d also prefer for AMG to throw away the variable speed steering box for something stiffer as the feel in it is very off putting at times.

I guess it shows it's difficult to please everyone or me in particular.

.

[triplej]

I bought a VE SV6 a few months ago, I think the same, the steering does seem pretty sensitive compared to the LS1 VX II Calais I traded. I've also noticed that a rut that crosses the road at an angle to the road seems to unsettle the car more so than the VX. I still have my series one VX Clubby, there is something a bit unsettling sometimes with the VE. All these cars have 18" wheels, so I don't think it's down to tyres, except the profile of the VE is a litle higher.

Yes did wonder about tyres / wheels. This is the first 20" car i've driven. Would have preferred 19's but it was a package deal.

[Hos]

BMW's are very 'heavy' in the steering compared to a VE. I got caught out I'm my in laws 18'month old 320 BMW last night, very different to my VE.

[triplej]

I understand the VE is a vehicle for many driving tastes and the lightness helps with parking and low speed manoeuvrability but I’d definitely prefer the steering to be a little heavier.

In saying that, wide tyres and too heavy a steering does equal sore shoulders in a daily driver.

I’d also prefer for AMG to throw away the variable speed steering box for something stiffer as the feel in it is very off putting at times.

I guess it shows it's difficult to please everyone or me in particular.

.

maybe a light / heavy steering option accessable thru iQ :)

[IJ.]

maybe a light / heavy steering option accessable thru iQ :)

As far as I can tell there's no electronics in a VE power steering rack, the "feel" is more down to where it's mounted in comparison to the VZ or earlier.
(feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on this)

You could always change the pully size to change the amount of pressure the pump produces at low engine speeds.

[HOT_VYSS]

I have a Redline ute and a R33 GTR. Compared to the Skylines, there seems to be nothing direct about the Commodore steering at all. It's the same old over compensated power steering which completely detaches the driver from what is happening on the road.
The standard suspension needs a lot of work as well with the camber being almost zero front and rear as well as the front end needing a lot more chassis rigidity in order to sharpen up the steering.
This said, I'm still fairly happy with my purchase in a straight line :)

[Plenty]

I have a Redline ute and a R33 GTR. Compared to the Skylines, there seems to be nothing direct about the Commodore steering at all. It's the same old over compensated power steering which completely detaches the driver from what is happening on the road.
The standard suspension needs a lot of work as well with the camber being almost zero front and rear as well as the front end needing a lot more chassis rigidity in order to sharpen up the steering.
This said, I'm still fairly happy with my purchase in a straight line :)

:confused: Your comparing an AWD race bred machine against a ute? You would also be the first person i know to say the VE has shit steering.

The information that you get through the VE tiller is very good.

[triplej]

:confused: Your comparing an AWD race bred machine against a ute?

What about HSV's do they have exactly the steering same set-up?

[HOT_VYSS]

Actually I'm comparing it to pretty much all the skylines having owned 3 of them and driven many more. Saying that the steering in a VE is good is one thing but you have to have something to base it off.
So unless that 'something' your using is a Bus, I'd say you might be mistaken.
I still believe that they could have done a lot better given the technology available to them.

[triplej]

What about HSV's do they have exactly the steering same set-up?

And now in english... same steering set-up.

[calais190]

I also have a Redline SSV, the steering does feel a little lighter than it did in my VZ Calais, but not by a lot.

When I installed coilovers, I found the lower I went, the heavier the steering seems to feel. Thus, the only solution I could offer you is to lower your car.

[duke5700]

And now in english... same steering set-up.

AFAIK Yes they are the same.

I gone from my VX SS (Mind you extensively modified suspension wise) to a VE R8 and it does feel lighter. It wasn't bad though and still managed to punt the car pretty hard with plenty of feedback through the wheel and the seat in regards to grip levels etc.

[Plenty]

Actually I'm comparing it to pretty much all the skylines having owned 3 of them and driven many more. Saying that the steering in a VE is good is one thing but you have to have something to base it off.
So unless that 'something' your using is a Bus, I'd say you might be mistaken.
I still believe that they could have done a lot better given the technology available to them.

Well considering all the journos say the ve steering is good and they have driven a lot of different cars I would say that is a pretty big baseline.

[steve_t]

I find my HSV E1 Maloo well weighted. Defo can't turn the wheel with one finger like you can in a Honda. Maybe I need to hit the gym more...

[BruceSS]

Have the wheel alignment checked.

You could take the caster angle to maximum 7 degrees 15 minutes with the fitting of adjuster kit, part number GM-92218339 (about $39 for the pair)

I did buy some but haven't had them fitted yet. Apparently the front bumper/air dam has to come off.

[Marco]

I found the VE's steering too light coming from a TS Astra, but now it feels nicely weighted compared to the super-light steering in my ZC Vectra. Depend what you're used to I suppose!

[planetdavo]

VE steering is quite light but direct, with none of the lumpy weighting of earlier models. Been that way since the day they came out in 2006.

[duke5700]

What do you mean by lumpy weighting with the earlier models? Dumb it down parts nazi.

[planetdavo]

What do you mean by lumpy weighting with the earlier models? Dumb it down for the forum dumbasses.

VT-VZ had a well known reputation for inconsistent weighting in the travel of the rack. It got better fron Monaro (then VY) on, but in combination with the old Opel derived front suspension design it was what led to a Holden engineer (Tony Hyde?) describing the front end as "tired".
VE's double ball joint front suspension design led to more consistent feel through the (now ZF sourced) rack's range of movement.

[duke5700]

Thats better.

[Plenty]

VT-VZ had a well known reputation for inconsistent weighting in the travel of the rack. It got better fron Monaro (then VY) on, but in combination with the old Opel derived front suspension design it was what led to a Holden engineer (Tony Hyde?) describing the front end as "tired".
VE's double ball joint front suspension design led to more consistent feel through the (now ZF sourced) rack's range of movement.

As well the front rack is much farther forward than the older models and doesn't have that horrible just off center feel (or lack of) like the vt-vz.

[sjhugh]

Everyone will have an opinion and opinions will always differ depending on individual tastes.

Also some will never drive anything different therefore they’ll never know what they are missing.

My Grandmother likes the steering of any car to be as light as possible, it suits her slow, easy to park driving style.

I’d prefer the VE steering to be a bit heavier, particularly in the performance models.

Just don’t confuse the issue by comparing Holden with those manufacturers that think race, sport, track when setting up and designing suspension and steering components.

Most manufacturers make cars for the masses and Holden’s Commodore is one of them. A good car for the masses, some variations can be fast but by no means a sports car.

It's steering is ok but that's all.

.

[triplej]

I think it’s on the light side for sure and that to me means lots of power assistance, which means less feel for the road.
As a newbie I thought there are a huge amount of performance options to make them more of a sports sedan (brakes, suspension, cams, clutches etc) so maybe someone had considered steering feedback options.

Thanks for all for the feedback!

[planetdavo]

I think it’s on the light side for sure and that to me means lots of power assistance, which means less feel for the road.
As a newbie I thought there are a huge amount of performance options to make them more of a sports sedan (brakes, suspension, cams, clutches etc) so maybe someone had considered steering feedback options.

Thanks for all for the feedback!

Yes it is on the light side, but as with any high volume production car there are inherent compromises that need to be factored in.

[triplej]

For the record if anyone picks this up in a search...

I've fitted Pedders XA coilovers and i can feel the road again! Some may not like that but i certainly do.

Not only a greatly improved ride but the steering feedback is much improved as well. Stands to reason I guess.

A good job done and great advice from Jamie @ Pedders Mascot